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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Spotlight Author with Kathryn Caskie Parker

Today I have another amazing guest here at my blog. Kathryn Caskie Parker is here to gives us all of the details on her up-coming release plus give us tips and tricks of the writing world. She even has some goodies to give away!!!

Welcome Kathryn, So glad that you joined us here today. We would love to hear about your up coming release, THE DUKE’S NIGHT OF SIN.


My November 30th release is the third in my Seven Deadly Sins series, The Duke’s Night of Sin. The Seven Deadly Series~ The series is about the seven sexy Sinclair brothers and sisters, known throughout Scotland as the Seven Deadly Sins. They live for scandal and delight in disgrace until their father finally decrees that they must reform or be cast out to the pavers with a penny to their name. Propriety has never come easily for the seven, but now they have no choice, and so they head off to London, where no one knows of their past deeds, to seek the respectability their father demands. The Duke’s Night of Sin is about Lady Siusan Sinclair, whose sin to overcome is sloth/laziness. One the anniversary of her fiancĂ©’s death, her brothers and sister convince her to attend a grand ball in honor of the new Duke of Exeter. But once she is there, her loneliness and sadness overwhelm her and she takes refuge from the festivities in a dark library. Before long a gentleman enters and, in the darkness, mistakes her for someone else. She thinks to correct him, but everything is happening so quickly and when he kisses her, she melts and allows herself to imagine her fiancĂ©. Soon he’s filling her loneliness, and she convinces herself that it’s only one night of sin. No one will know. But when she slips up and speaks, revealing her Scot’s dialect, the gentleman realizes his mistake. She flees the room and disappears in the crowd just as the Duke of Exeter is announced. She knows if her father learns of her indiscretion she will be disinherited with the Duke of Exeter and so she escapes for Bath, where she accepts a position of instructress of deportment at an exclusive school for girls. Sebastian Beaufort, the new Duke of Exeter, believes he has taken advantage of an innocent Society miss. He knows he must find her, marry her if that is what it will take to right his wrong. But how do you find someone you’ve never actually seen? But that’s when the fun begins. The Duke’s Night of Sin is my favorite of the Seven Deadly Sins series...and by far the sexiest. RT Book Reviews called The Duke’s Night of Sin “a capture your heart romance.”

When you are not writing, what do you like to read?


I read everything. This week I am reading Kristan Higgin’s All I Ever Wanted, Sarah Macleans’s Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord and (for something completely different) The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie!


What is your favorite thing about writing romance?


Because I write by the seat of pants (yes, I am a true blue pantser), I never know what each day will bring—except, eventually, a happily ever after.


What makes your voice different from others?


I’ve been told by a couple of different editors and agents that what makes my voice distinctive is that I write historicals with a humorous contemporary voice that appeals to both readers of historical and contemporary romance.


If you had to pick a favorite character that you have created or one that you wish you had created who would it be and why?


My favorite characters (I can’t pick one because they are twins) that I have created are the elderly Featherton sisters. I hated to see them go with the conclusion of the Featherton Sisters Quartet (Rules of Engagement, Lady in Waiting, Love is In the Heir and A Lady’s Guide to Rakes), so I gave them a cameo in The Most Wicked of Sins from the Seven Deadly Sins series. Reader told me they loved seeing dotty twins again.


A character I wish I had created...Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. Sigh.



Give us a glimpse into your writer’s life.


Well, my husband recently started working from home, so I gave up my office (his phone voice is booming) and retreated to the dining room on the other side of the house to write. There are no distractions there, like in my office, just silverware, china, etc. When the kids are home there isn’t a distraction free zone in the house, so, if I am on deadline, I head off to Rust Library where I can usually duck into one of their quiet glass study rooms. I know so many authors who write at Starbucks. I can’t. Within minutes, I find myself eavesdropping on anyone chatting nearby and then coming up with fictional, very adventurous lives for them. As far as crafting a book, I don’t really plot. I’ve tried, but I’ve found that if I know the whole story I don’t want to write it. I really wish I was a plotter. Recently, I have taken a baby step toward traditional plotting. Before starting a book (I normally just plunge right into the writing) I do my best to identify the Inciting Incident, the Turning Points, the Black Moment, the Climax and the Resolution. Then, I let the story percolate in my mind. By time I start to write, I know the characters and their motivations, as I do when I writing by the seat of my pants, but I don’t write myself into a corner anymore—which speeds up the writing process. Have I sufficiently confused everyone? LOL.
What steps did you take to make your dreams come true?


I’ve always written in my various jobs, but when I decided I wanted to write a novel I started researching the business of publishing. I read every book I could on business and the craft. I joined RWA and my local chapter. I got involved. I met as many agents and editors as I could. I joined a critique group, and at the urging of one of my CPs, finished my novel in time to enter the Golden Heart. I was lucky enough to win.


Do you have any advice about finding an agent or getting published?


First, make sure your book is the best it can be. So many would-be authors type The End and immediately send the books to every editor and agent they can think of. Big mistake. You may only get one bite at the apple so do your homework. Pay attention to which houses publish the sort of book you have written. Take a look at the dedication pages of books similar to yours. Many authors thank their editor and agent there. These are the people who might like your book. Search the web for interviews these people may have given. In short, be sure that when you send you manuscript to agent at a literary agency, or an editor at a publishing house, you are sending it to the right one. It won’t do you any good to send your erotic vampire romance to the editor who loves funny Regency’s. Don’t count on the editor to walk your manuscript down the hall to someone who loves darker stories—make sure you target the right person. In short, do your homework then target the right agent or editor for your book. It will really improve you chances of realizing your dream of seeing your book in print.

Kathryn, thank you for being a guest on my blog, it has been a pleasure. We would love to know where we can find you and your books on the web.


Thank you so much for inviting me! I’ve given Micole a few e-ARCs of The Duke’s Night of Sin to give away. If you don’t win one of those, please stop by website www.KathrynCaskie.com reads an excerpt and enter my contest!





Kathryn has hooked us up with lots of goodies, so make sure to leave a comment so we can give them away!!!! Thank you all again for stopping by. See you next week.

Hugs

Micole

35 comments:

Dianna aka Hrdwrkdmom said...

I have been waiting on this one! Actually I have waited not so patiently on each of the Seven Deadly Sins so far.

I loved the Featherton sisters too, they were such wily old women.

Debra said...

I enjoyed your wedding pictures. I think all of your books are a joy to read. Loved the Seven Deadly Sins Series. Look forward to much more from you in the future.

Abigail-Madison Chase said...

Awesome interview can't wait to read the book!

Jennifer Baade said...

I am so excited for The Duke's Night of Sin since I have a hard time being patient! Have loved all your books thus far and following you on Facebook!

Justine G said...

I hope I win!!!! This is the only one that I havent read by u!!! So pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee pick me lol!!!

CrystalGB said...

Hi Kathryn. Great interview. I love your series. The Duke's Night of Sin sounds amazing.
Looking forward to reading this book. :)

Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jeanne M said...

Hi Kathryn -

I just read an excerpt of The Duke's Night of Sin and can't wait for the release. I loved your interview and agree that the humor you put into your stories keep me looking forward to your next release.

I also loved the dotty Featherton sisters like so many of your other readers and thanks for bringing them bck in The Most Wicked of Sins! Hope to see them again soon.

Unknown said...

I cannot wait to read this book. I love this series.

Ny said...

I love this series! I just read the excerpt and really cannot wait to read this.

Unknown said...

I am so excited about this book! I almost had a heart attack when I saw that we could "browse inside"over at the avon website. Nov 30 seems so far away! I can't wait! =)

SuzyQ said...

I love this series and can't wait for this one!

LGVernon said...

I always enjoy your writing and look forward to reading this newest offering.

Amy said...

I also loved the Seven Deadly Sins series! Can't wait to read this one!

Kathryn Caskie said...

I am so happy everyone is excited about this book. A couple early readers told me this is their favorite of the Seven Deadly Sins series so far!

penney said...

Great interview I love this series! I am looking forward to reading this one.
Thanks for being here today!
Penney

Julie Tran said...

love this series and i cant wait for duke!!!

Amanda.Walker317 said...

A great series so far - I can't wait for the next one!

Sheree said...

Great interview! I love the Seven Deadly Sins series so far (especially "The Most Wicked of Sins" which has my fave cover model Paul Marron on the stepback) and can't wait to read about Siusan.

ironss[at]gmail.com

Lori Ann said...

I read the excerpt for The Duke's Night of Sin on Kathryn's website, and now I cannot wait to read more. I am hooked. Thanks for the interview.

Micole Black said...

Good afternoon to all, I am sorry if it seems I have been abscent today, but I have been in bed all day with the flu! It has been horrible. Thank you all for stoping in Kathryn and I will pick the lucky winners soon.

Hugs

Micole

Solo Dance Mom said...

I have read the first two books and have been impatiently waiting for this one! I sure hope my local library adds it to their holdings. The idea of using the seven deadly sins as the theme for the books is such a fabulous idea.

Kathryn Caskie said...

Micole is picking the winners, but if she needs more signed books, I am there. All she needs to do is tell me to send more books.

Would you all follow me if I also wrote romatnic comedies (contemt) I want to write what you want!

Kathryn

Kathryn Caskie said...

Sorry for typos. I have the flu.

Lee Ann Higginbotham said...

Oh wow I can't wait for this installment. I have read the others in this series and have been eagerly awaiting the next one. Course I have read all if Kathryn's books and they have all been great. Yeah, only a little bit longer.

gamistress66 said...

Great interview. Since I first read the "back blurb" about this book and the premise for the series I was interested. The excepts have made sure it found it's way onto my TBB list. I enjoy a good regency that has a touch of humor it it. Would definately love to win an ARC so I wouldn't have to wait as long to be able to read it :)

Congrats! & thanks :)

SuzyQ said...

Kathryn - yes! I would read a contemporary by you!!!

Julie Tran said...

I would totally give it a go if you wrote a contemporary

Jo Walter said...

I've never read any of her stuff, but a friends mom sent me the link because I'm participating in NaNoWriMo this year and she's helping connect with some of her favorite authors for inspiration... Seems like a series I may have to pick up next time I'm out.

William and Anna Patterson said...

Thanks for sharing this interview. IT is so interesting. I also would like to win a copy of the latest book.
Much thanks.

Maribeth said...

Jeesh, only 29 comments? I might even have a chance to win this time!
Have LOVED all the 3 Deadly Sins so far and can't wait for the next one- they're so much fun- Have read all the Caskie's I could get my hands on- tho sorry, not the vampire ones- don't read that genre... but love your stuff and hope I win!

Kathryn Caskie said...

Thanks for having me visit, Micole and thanks for everyone who visited.

Cheers!

Kathryn

Karen said...

The interview was great and interesting! I love the humor in your historicals. I have the first book in the Seven Deadly series and love it. I guess I need to catch up and get the second book, huh? Thanks for all you do to write and keep us entertained!

ccwmomrkcc@yahoo.com

Micole Black said...

Thank you Kathryn for being a guest here. And for all of you who have stopped by. I will announce the winners shortly. If you have posted can you please send me an email with your email address so I can contact the winners? Thank you. Rafter21@aol.com and put Kathryn Caskie giveaway in the subject line.

Thanks

Micole

Micole Black said...

Thank you to all who have emailed. the names are now posted on the site.

Beena Shah said...

I can't wait for the Duke's Night of Sin, I have read every one of your books! I am looking forward to Nov 30th!